Contents

Appearance

The merged Tensa Zangetsu.

The manifestation's appearance in this state is a combination of the man in black and Tensa Zangetsu; he has Tensa Zangetsu's white hair and attire, albeit with the black fur at the edges of the robe in addition to its placement on his collar and wrists, and mask remnants, but physically, he resembles the younger man in black, with his skintone. Furthermore, left of his eyes has a black sclerae with a silver iris, while the right eye is normal with a blue iris.[1]

Personality

Tensa Zangetsu's personality appears to draw largely from the man in black's own personality, appearing to be calm and rational, yet, much like Zangetsu, he is prone to shouting. A trait shared by both of his original sources, and carried over to the merged being, is a desire to protect his wielder, Ichigo Kurosaki. By Ichigo's own statement, Tensa Zangetsu was feeling nothing but loneliness, and he was initially unwilling to teach Ichigo the Final Getsuga Tenshō.[2]

Story

Fake Karakura Town Arc

The merged Tensa Zangetsu is born.

When Zangetsu and the man in black merged into one being, he informed Ichigo that originally, the two of them function as one being anyway; both of them are Ichigo's source of power. With a mighty shout, the merged manifestation rushes Ichigo.[1]

Tensa Zangetsu rushes Ichigo.

Fighting Ichigo for the equivalent of months, due to how time passes in the Dangai, Tensa Zangetsu commends the boy for still being on his feet. When Ichigo tells him that he has no intention of falling until Tensa Zangetsu teaches him the Final Getsuga Tenshō, the manifestation angrily shouts that he hasn't the slightest intention of teaching Ichigo. As they continue to battle, Tensa Zangetsu runs Ichigo through with his sword. He congratulates his wielder on realizing that he must accept the blade to attain the Final Getsuga Tenshō.[2]

The waters part as Tensa Zangetsu passes on the Final Getsuga Tenshō.

Tears fall from Tensa Zangetsu's eyes as the water within Ichigo's inner world disperses, returning it to its former state. He tells Ichigo that the only thing he wants to protect is Ichigo himself; when asked why, Tensa Zangetsu tells Ichigo that his meaning, as well as the Final Getsuga Tenshō, will be passed onto him through the blade of his Zanpakutō. Warning Ichigo that using this technique will cost him his Shinigami powers, Tensa Zangetsu bids farewell to his wielder with a solemn smile.[2][3]

Equipment

Tensa Zangetsu (天鎖斬月; Literally meaning "Heaven Chain Slaying Moon"): Tensa Zangetsu wields the Zanpakutō for which he is named. Rather than the White Zangetsu used by Zangetsu himself, this Tensa Zangetsu wields a black ōdachi with a distinctive guard that is shaped like a manji.

Powers & Abilities

Spiritual Power: As a fusion of the man in black and Zangetsu, Tensa Zangetsu naturally possesses large amount of spiritual power. According to Ichigo, there is a such a difference in their powers that Tensa Zangetsu could have easily defeated him during the Jinzen training.[2]

Zanjutsu Master: Tensa Zangetsu retains the skills of the two halves which make him whole, making him extremely proficient and dangerous with a sword. In combat against his wielder, Ichigo, Tensa Zangetsu overwhelmed him through skill with the blade alone.[2]